Washington, DC – On September 20th, NIAC Action was among twenty-one organizations, including Asian Americans Advancing Justice, American Civil Liberties Union, and National Immigration Law Center, that called on Congress to remove discriminatory restrictions on the purchase of agriculture from the annual defense policy bill.
In a letter to Members of Congress, the groups highlight the concern of multiple immigrant communities and civil rights groups with the Rounds Amendment #813 to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY24 (S.2226). The amendment would prohibit nationals from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea who are lawful visa-holders, but who do not have citizenship or a green card, from purchasing certain agricultural property.
Throughout this year, immigrant and civil rights groups have warned against a wave of new “alien land laws” that aim to restrict the ability of individuals to purchase property on the basis of national origin. Members of Congress have noted their concerns on this amendment and have the chance to remove it or amend it to safeguard civil liberties concerns of targeted immigrant groups.
The full letter is included below:
Rounds Amendment Org LetterBack to top